Theme: Courage to be Disliked

“If I change, the world will change. No one else will change the world for me…”

🌱 This is the realization that a character comes to as a culmination of the meditative conversations spread throughout “The Courage to be Disliked” – a book by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga that tackles concepts like trauma, interpersonal relationships, communities, and Adlerian psychology. Its general message?

Be you.
Be disliked.
Be happy.

🎗Now, we’re not telling you to go ahead and commit irredeemably heinous acts for the sake of being disliked. What we’re saying is that to climb that mountain, to traverse that road, to cross that bridge… you must move forward whilst knowing that you may very well slip and fall from the prejudices of others.

This is an oversimplification of the book’s ideas and the philosophical question of whether one should care about others’ opinions. Come, listen to our speakers, and gain the courage to be disliked. Will you? 😉

Australian International School
264 Đường Mai Chí Thọ
Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh, 713000
Vietnam

An Phương Trương

Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger

An Phuong is a multi-platform lifestyle blogger, influencer and journalist, based in Saigon, Vietnam. She uses her YouTube channel as a means of sharing the diverse mosaics of her personal life, with content primarily revolving around self-care and her duality being a public figure and a journalist. Regardless of what role she is in, An Phuong wishes to radiate positive energy and inspire her surrounding people and audiences.

Angus Malcolm

Student

Angus is a student from Vietnam but is also an Australian and British citizen. He enjoys travel and skiing and is also engaged in community involvement as part of his school’s environmental group ‘Project Planet’ involved in trash pickups and tree planting in HCMC.

Boi Sang Ngo

Student

A lifelong learner with a keen interest in philosophy, world history, and science.

Gearoid Clarke

Science Teacher

Gearoid Clarke is a high school Science & Drama Teacher in Saigon. Originally from Ireland, Gearoid has been teaching for 12 years, 5 of which have been spent in Vietnam. Having come out as gay in his late 20s, Gearoid hopes his experience growing up as a closeted gay man in a traditional Ireland will be helpful to those who are struggling with their identity and wanting to live as their authentic selves.

Hoang Phuc Phan

Undergraduate Student

Hoang Phuc is an undergraduate student at the University of Sydney and an amateur figure skater. Phuc believes that whether it's academics, sports, or anything, it's important to enjoy the journey and not worry too much about the destination. Phuc’s definition of happiness stems from freedom and a touch of thrill from opportunities the world has to offer. Having the courage to be disliked can lead to a more fulfilling life. It allows us to live authentically and to pursue our passions without fear of judgment or rejection. It allows us to be true to ourselves and to make decisions based on our own values and beliefs. In his TEDxTalk, Phuc will discuss his negative experience with peer pressure and how all of us can learn to be better people for others and for ourselves.

Linda Ngo

Content Creator

Linda Ngo hiện đang là một Content Creator về mối quan hệ, cuộc sống hằng ngày, hiện cô đang sở hữu kênh tiktok với hơn 5.1M follower. Kênh Youtube Dalin Vlog đạt hơn 800N subcribe với nhiều clip shorts nổi bật đạt hơn 20tr view, cô nàng cùng chồng Phong Đạt còn làm nhiều nội dung lifestyle về du lịch cuộc sống hằng ngày và lọt top trending liên tục. Năm 2021 kênh Youtube Dalin Vlog lọt top 10 Nhà Sáng Tạo Shorts nổi bật trên Youtube.

Minh Tri Truong

Student

Truong Minh Tri is a young teenager who acknowledges the inevitable confrontations that arise from the division of generations in many Asian families. He wishes to speak on how each side can come to understand each other. To agree to disagree. Such confirmation is vital in maintaining healthy familial relationships.

Noah Franske

Math Teacher at AIS Australian International School Ho Chi Minh City

Mr. Franske is a mentor and teacher with 13 years in the classroom. He sees mathematics everywhere and uses it as a means of understanding the world and connecting with his students. Unsurprisingly, he spends his free time playing card and board games that tend to be mathematically inclined. He also runs a maths club and coaches the mathematics competition team. On holiday, he enjoys water sports and snow sports. Mr. Franske began his teaching journey in Florida USA, then taught in Santiago Chile, at his alma mater in Minnesota, and has been teaching in Vietnam since 2019. He will move to Prague to teach at ISP in the fall of 2023. This is Mr. Franske’s first experience with Ted Talks and he is excited to speak again in the future!

Thien Khiem Nguyen

Content creator

Thien Khiem, also known as Khiemslays, is a university student majoring in Digital Marketing, a multi-platform content creator, a TV host, and a published author in Vietnam. Khiem’s content centers around the life of a Gen Z-er trying to ‘have it all together’ as an adult in a world full of challenges and uncertainties. By sharing his study tips, life hacks, work experiences, and even vulnerabilities, Khiem wishes to inspire his audience and if possible, assist them with their journeys of growing up.